In a recent clip from the Unchained podcast, hosted by Laura Shin, Justin Bons, the founder and CIO of Cyber Capital, shared his thoughts on why payment giant Stripe opted to create its own Layer 1 (L1) blockchain called Tempo rather than building on an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2). For those new to the terms, an L1 is the base blockchain like Ethereum itself, while an L2 is a secondary layer built on top to make transactions faster and cheaper.

The discussion was sparked by Tempo's announcement that it wouldn't become an Ethereum L2, igniting debates across the crypto community on X (formerly Twitter). Bons, a vocal advocate for decentralization, praised Stripe's choice, arguing that it aligns with core blockchain principles.

According to Bons, Stripe values true decentralization. They don't want to rely on a setup where a single validator or server could potentially steal user funds, censor transactions, or frontrun trades—meaning jumping ahead of user orders to profit unfairly. Many current Ethereum L2s, he claims, are too centralized, often controlled by a handful of entities, which defeats the purpose of blockchain's promise of trustless systems.

"If the other option is building on centralized L2s, then I'm glad they're either building out their own L1," Bons stated in the clip shared by Laura Shin on X.

This move by Stripe, in partnership with crypto VC firm Paradigm, positions Tempo as a blockchain specifically designed for stablecoins and real-world payments. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, making them ideal for everyday transactions without the volatility of tokens like Bitcoin or meme coins.

Bons suggests that waiting for Ethereum to scale up its capacity isn't practical for a company like Stripe, which handles massive payment volumes. Instead, building an independent L1 allows them to prioritize speed, low fees, and control without compromising on security.

The tweet garnered various reactions from the community. Some users speculated on whether Tempo would issue its own token, while others joked about potential risks or predicted a future pivot back to Ethereum. For instance, one reply noted, "This is great news though. Wonder if they would have a token," highlighting the excitement around potential new meme or utility tokens emerging from such projects.

In the broader context, this decision could influence how other fintech companies approach blockchain integration. For meme token enthusiasts, it underscores the ongoing tension between centralized efficiency and decentralized ideals, which often plays out in the volatile world of memecoins built on various chains.

If you're diving into blockchain tech, episodes like this from the Unchained podcast offer valuable insights. Check out the full debate between Bons and Haonan Li from Codex for a balanced view on L1s versus L2s.

This development might not directly spawn new meme tokens, but it signals a shift where even traditional players like Stripe are betting big on custom blockchains, potentially opening doors for innovative token launches in the payments space.